Friday, April 8, 2016

How to Pack Light, Travel Better, Take Less, Enjoy More

Stop thinking, 'Look how much stuff I can cram into this thing!

In March of 2015, before leaving for England, I followed the Rick Steves packing guidelines and fit everything into the standard 21x14x9 carry-on. For some odd reason, I stuffed as much as I could get into that thing before leaving home, simply because I could! Result? I got so sick of dragging that carry on around the airport, down cobblestone streets, through train stations...that I decided NEVER AGAIN.

You can almost see my bag in there!
There is no allowing for an extra, like a purse, either.
You get ONE carry-on, unless you want to pay extra.

But, in March of this year, when I made airline reservations on Spirit Airlines (MSP-DFW) because the tickets were so much cheaper, I did it knowing that space would be limited and that I refused to check a bag. (I hate wasting time standing in line). Spirit only allows a small school-type backpack. We have two of those, and we were determined to make this work. You can see in the photo above that my bag fit easily into the 'included' part of the test box.

1 pr. black dress slacks and dressy top (for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, as our daughter informed us that they had tickets for us! That's also why I wore the nice black dress/rain type coat)
1 pr. black denim jeans
4 shirts (and I notice that most of them are prints, making me a liar for what I told you in the Hodgepodge a couple weeks ago! I guess the prints were bought most recently. I hadn't realized that I've been moving over to prints!) You'll also notice that everything goes with blue or black.

(Important: When you're taking very few items especially, everything needs to go with everything else.)

Did I mention the unmentionables?
black rain hat (crushable)
flat iron (no hairdryer because my daughter has one)
hairbrush
camera (It does fit, it's just that I was holding it to take the photo) Actually, at the last minute, I didn't take my bigger camera, but used the camera on my phone for this trip. Other places, I might actually take my camera or get a smaller, good camera to use - or a better phone.
Kindle
phone
tiny flashlight
money/cards case
phone charger
extra camera battery
extra SD card
camera battery charger
cosmetic case with all the little odds and ends, including vitamins
quart ziploc bag with any liquid things, such as wee shampoo, toothpaste, soap

Total weight of backpack, loaded? 11.5 pounds.

I did decide to do a small load of laundry once while at our daughter's. For traveling abroad, I'd stay at a B&B or hotel, make sure they had a hairdryer, and I'd buy laundry detergent once there and wash out the unmentionables in the sink. I've done that a number of times. Most places don't notice and don't care. The places that do care probably charge more money than we want to pay anyway. :-)
What's important to me re. accommodations is: CLEAN, SAFE, CHEAP, LOCATION

Spirit Airlines plane and UFOs at MSP

Waiting - comfy blue jeans.
Did I tell you the cane is part of our vaudeville act?

We plan to pack this way the next time we travel abroad also, if there is a next time. I know, it seems a little crazy, but it's so much nicer not to be waiting in lines or hauling huge suitcases here and there. From what I understand, even if we get desperate, they actually do sell clothes and laundry detergent in other countries. Wouldn't it be fun to come home with a shirt made in China Italy? or somewhere else?

And we'll be traveling lighter and cheaper than Rick Steves you-know-who. We always do. Just sayin.'

I went on a four month trip to Europe with some friends after college and as the weather changed we donated clothes. Returning home I had very few. It was light and a relief. Some...a lot...of stuff got thrown away too. I mean, why bring an old tshirt home and who wants it anyway? And you can mail souvenirs, if you're fancy. :)

Good morning, your two are so cute! Great tips for packing light. I think it is awful they charge you to check a bag anyway. We usually fly Southwest and they do not have any extra charges. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!

A good tutorial Judy! And I love your passport pictures....it is nice to see what my silver fox friends looked like before they went gray and gorgeous! No plans to travel on a plane any time soon but the next time I do, I just might pull this up and look at it!!

Hello Judy, I love this post about how to pack lightly. I'm getting better at it due to the hubs who travels a lot! Your tips were great. You two look so cute and happy together! Wishing you more happy travels.Have a wonderful day and weekend.Julie

You are so cute!! Wow, I'm really impressed with how you traveled. It is true that life would be easier, especially abroad, with a a backpack instead of a suitcase. I saw a quote on a blogn(Mersad) this week about travel “When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.” – Susan HellerHave a great weekend.

Judy, You and your sweetie are so cute. I love your picture. I learned to take less. I always say if I go to Paris..I am taking an empty suitcase and buying my clothes there. LOL. Hope your trip is safe and lots of fun. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

I wish I could be a no checked baggage kind of person, but that just isn't me! I need space to bring stuff back! Last year we got new suitcases that were about a quarter of the weight of our old ones and gosh though, did that ever make a difference! xx

Judy, I love this post! Your advice is great. The more we travel, the less we pack! We always wash a few things on extended vacations. When we were in England we washed clothes at the laundry facilities available at the place we stayed. I love the photo of you and your cutie husband. xo ♥

Oh boy, don't know if I could do this Judy. The list sounded like ample clothes and I know to make sure everything was mix and match. It would be nice to avoid the lines and wait for luggage where mine always seems last to appear.Passport photos always make us look suspect when you're not allowed to smile. ;-)

Great information on packing! I generally travel with a few pairs of jeans, several tops (usually black or dark colors) and colored scarves for wintertime to change up the look. I used the Rick Steves "backpack suitcase" many years ago when I went to the UK for three weeks. I went by myself and traveled via trains and hostels. It was a great size and easy to carry as a backpack!

Very interesting. We have not travelled in years but my niece, nephew and brother travel often and I'll be sure to share this info with them. I hope your weekend goes well. Loved seeing the passport photos.

Great post!I am much better at packing in 2016 than I was in 2006 . . . I did leave behind the kitchen sink then but I had everything else! My overload point is usually with shoes . . .Need to work on that one!Loved your passport pics and the "knee tickle" one too!

I have to come back and absorb this better but some great ideas. I know it can be done as we toured Europe for three weeks with two kids and just 2 backpacks and a large purse. I hate to pack now and fret about it ahead of time. I'll keep your list!Great pics of you two--you have not changed all that much (except hair color). :-)

You've got it sorted Judy!I can't drag. Heavy case any longer - especially the tube stations - Metro in Paris the worst - all those stairs!A great list and photo which I'll save and print off for future reference.Gorgeous photo of you two - what a team!Shane

Oh my this was really funny. And yes I guess I never thought about the fact you could buy what extra you might need while traveling daa. Loved the photos of you both. Have a great trip everyday. Life is an adventure. Hugs, Roxy

You are soooo correct Judy!!We're in California right now and packed as light as possible for 6 days.Heading home tomorrow, with slightly more than we came with -- have to have gifts for the grandkids!!!I'm like you -- take two black pants and 4 different tops that all go with black -- plus several scarves that change the look and dress it up!!Happy Trails and God Speed!

I enjoyed this post! We took WAY too much with us to Italy, but fortunately our tour included baggage handling. Now, I only get on a plane when it is absolutely necessary - and it hasn't been for quite a few years now.

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